In view of God"s certain supply of this grace we need to adopt a definite stance toward the people involved in this conflict. Ten aorist imperatives in James 4:7-10 demand decisive action. They sound like military commands and reflect how seriously James viewed double-mindedness. [1][source]
Toward God we must submit in humility. This means making what is of importance to Him important to us, ordering our priorities in harmony with God"s priorities. It means not living to fulfill our personal ambitions but using our lives to fulfill His desires. Submission is not identical to obedience. Submission involves the surrender of the will that results in obedience. [source][source][source]
We must resist Satan strongly. When we do, he will flee from us. What is Satan trying to get us to do? The record of his temptations, including those of Eve and Jesus Christ, indicates that he wants to make us doubt, deny, disregard, and disobey God"s Word (cf. Genesis 3; Matthew 4). We resist him by refusing to do these things. [source][source][source]
Context Summary
James 4:1-10 - "draw Nigh To God"
The Apostle returns to "the jealousy and faction" of the previous chapter, James 3:14, and says that these evils are traceable to lust, that is, to inordinate desire. The restless inward war is the prolific parent of failure in speech and act. If we would pray more and better, we should soon find the inner fires dying down.
In James 4:5, r.v., margin, we learn that God has placed His Spirit within us, and that He yearns for complete control over our hearts. He can best overcome inordinate desire and teach us how to pray. God wants more of us. His love is insatiable in its yearning for every room and cupboard of our inner life, and He is ever wishful to give more grace.
There are four conditions which we must fulfill, if God is to have full possession:
1.We must be subject to the will of God, James 4:7;
2.We must draw nigh to God, James 4:8;
3.We must cleanse our hands and purify our hearts, James 4:8;
4.We must humble ourselves in His sight, James 4:10.
Then God will fill the soul, the sluice gates of which are open to Him. [source]
Chapter Summary: James 4
1We are to strive against covetousness; 4intemperance; 5pride; 11detraction and rash judgment of others; 13and not to be boastful of our future plans
Greek Commentary for James 4:7
Be subject therefore unto God [υποταγητε ουν τωι τεωι] Second aorist (ingressive) passive imperative of υποτασσω hupotassō old verb, to range under (military term also). Same form in 1 Peter 2:23; 1 Peter 5:5. With the dative case τεωι theōi (unto God). The aorist has the note of urgency in the imperative. Note the ten aorist imperatives in James 4:7-10 (υποταγητε αντιστητε εγγισατε καταρισατε αγνισατε ταλαιπωρησατε πεντησατε κλαυσατε μετατραπητω ταπεινωτητε hupotagēteαντιστητε δε τωι διαβολωι antistēteαντιστημι eggisateδιαβολωι katharisateπευχεται hagnisateπευγω talaipōrēsatepenthēsateklausatemetatrapētōtapeinōthēte). [source]
But resist the devil [antistēte de tōi diabolōi)] Second aorist (ingressive) active (intransitive) imperative of anthistēmi “take a stand against.” Dative case diabolōi Result of such a stand is that the devil will flee See 1 Peter 5:8.; Ephesians 6:11.; Luke 10:17. [source]
Submit yourselves [ὑποτάγητε] Rev., be subject. The verb means to place or arrange under; as resist (James 4:6) is to array against. God sets himself in array against the proud; therefore, array yourselves under God, that ye may withstand the devil. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for James 4:7
Romans 10:3They did not subject themselves [ουχ υπεταγησαν] Second aorist passive indicative of υποτασσω hupotassō common Koiné{[28928]}š verb, to put oneself under orders, to obey, here the passive in sense of the middle (James 4:7) like απεκριτην apekrithēn I answered. [source]
Philippians 3:21Subdue [ὑποτάξαι] Rev., subject. See on James 4:7. It is more than merely subdue. It is to bring all things within His divine economy; to marshal them all under Himself in the new heaven and the new earth in which shall dwell righteousness. Hence the perfected heavenly state as depicted by John is thrown into the figure of a city, an organized commonwealth. The verb is thus in harmony with Phlippians 3:20. The work of God in Christ is therefore not only to transform, but to subject, and that not only the body, but all things. See 1 Corinthians 15:25-27; Romans 8:19,Romans 8:20; Ephesians 1:10,Ephesians 1:21,Ephesians 1:22; Ephesians 4:10. [source]
James 4:7Be subject therefore unto God [υποταγητε ουν τωι τεωι] Second aorist (ingressive) passive imperative of υποτασσω hupotassō old verb, to range under (military term also). Same form in 1 Peter 2:23; 1 Peter 5:5. With the dative case τεωι theōi (unto God). The aorist has the note of urgency in the imperative. Note the ten aorist imperatives in James 4:7-10 (υποταγητε αντιστητε εγγισατε καταρισατε αγνισατε ταλαιπωρησατε πεντησατε κλαυσατε μετατραπητω ταπεινωτητε hupotagēteαντιστητε δε τωι διαβολωι antistēteαντιστημι eggisateδιαβολωι katharisateπευχεται hagnisateπευγω talaipōrēsatepenthēsateklausatemetatrapētōtapeinōthēte). [source]
1 Peter 5:7He careth [μέλει] Meaning the watchful care of interest and affection. The sixth and seventh verses should be taken together: Humble yourselves and cast all your anxiety. Pride is at the root of most of our anxiety. To human pride it is humiliating to cast everything upon another and be cared for. See James 4:6,James 4:7. [source]
Greek Commentary for James 4:7
Second aorist (ingressive) passive imperative of υποτασσω hupotassō old verb, to range under (military term also). Same form in 1 Peter 2:23; 1 Peter 5:5. With the dative case τεωι theōi (unto God). The aorist has the note of urgency in the imperative. Note the ten aorist imperatives in James 4:7-10 (υποταγητε αντιστητε εγγισατε καταρισατε αγνισατε ταλαιπωρησατε πεντησατε κλαυσατε μετατραπητω ταπεινωτητε hupotagēteαντιστητε δε τωι διαβολωι antistēteαντιστημι eggisateδιαβολωι katharisateπευχεται hagnisateπευγω talaipōrēsatepenthēsateklausatemetatrapētōtapeinōthēte). [source]
Second aorist (ingressive) active (intransitive) imperative of anthistēmi “take a stand against.” Dative case diabolōi Result of such a stand is that the devil will flee See 1 Peter 5:8.; Ephesians 6:11.; Luke 10:17. [source]
Rev., be subject. The verb means to place or arrange under; as resist (James 4:6) is to array against. God sets himself in array against the proud; therefore, array yourselves under God, that ye may withstand the devil. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for James 4:7
Second aorist passive indicative of υποτασσω hupotassō common Koiné{[28928]}š verb, to put oneself under orders, to obey, here the passive in sense of the middle (James 4:7) like απεκριτην apekrithēn I answered. [source]
Rev., subject. See on James 4:7. It is more than merely subdue. It is to bring all things within His divine economy; to marshal them all under Himself in the new heaven and the new earth in which shall dwell righteousness. Hence the perfected heavenly state as depicted by John is thrown into the figure of a city, an organized commonwealth. The verb is thus in harmony with Phlippians 3:20. The work of God in Christ is therefore not only to transform, but to subject, and that not only the body, but all things. See 1 Corinthians 15:25-27; Romans 8:19, Romans 8:20; Ephesians 1:10, Ephesians 1:21, Ephesians 1:22; Ephesians 4:10. [source]
Better, subject or in subjection. Frequent in Paul, but not often in the active voice. See on James 4:7; see on Romans 8:7; see on Philemon 3:21; and comp. 1 Corinthians 14:34; Ephesians 5:22; Colossians 3:18. [source]
Second aorist (ingressive) passive imperative of υποτασσω hupotassō old verb, to range under (military term also). Same form in 1 Peter 2:23; 1 Peter 5:5. With the dative case τεωι theōi (unto God). The aorist has the note of urgency in the imperative. Note the ten aorist imperatives in James 4:7-10 (υποταγητε αντιστητε εγγισατε καταρισατε αγνισατε ταλαιπωρησατε πεντησατε κλαυσατε μετατραπητω ταπεινωτητε hupotagēteαντιστητε δε τωι διαβολωι antistēteαντιστημι eggisateδιαβολωι katharisateπευχεται hagnisateπευγω talaipōrēsatepenthēsateklausatemetatrapētōtapeinōthēte). [source]
Meaning the watchful care of interest and affection. The sixth and seventh verses should be taken together: Humble yourselves and cast all your anxiety. Pride is at the root of most of our anxiety. To human pride it is humiliating to cast everything upon another and be cared for. See James 4:6, James 4:7. [source]
Imperative second aorist active (intransitive) of αντιστημι anthistēmi same form in James 4:7, which see. Dative case of relative For the imperative in a subordinate clause see 1 Peter 5:12; 2 Thessalonians 3:10; 2 Timothy 4:15; Hebrews 13:7. Cowardice never wins against the devil (2 Timothy 1:7), but only courage. [source]